Ancelotti: Modric, Kroos and Casemiro are 'the best in the world'

Carlo Ancelotti has gushed over the quality of his league-leading Real Madrid side by declaring that he possesses the best midfield and best striker in the world.

A 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night ensured Ancelotti's side secured an eight-point lead at the top of LaLiga heading into Christmas.

Having been dethroned as champions by city rivals Atletico last season they have come back strong and for Ancelotti, much of the credit is being directed to midfielders Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

'Those three make up the best midfield in the world right now,' Ancelotti told Diario AS.

'Maybe the box-to-box midfielders are more what you think of, but Modric, Kroos and Casemiro have so much experience and are so good at the game that they are simply extraordinary. What’s more, it turns out they play so well together.

'When the three of them are together there’s nobody who can compare to them.

Modric, now 36, was picked out for special praise by Ancelotti following a recent derby win over Atletico and the Real Madrid icon has shown he is far from slowing down at the top of the game.

Kroos, too, has been highlighted in recent weeks with his agent revealing that the club's hierarchy view the midfielder as the 'signing of the century'.

As well as heaping praise on his midfielders, Ancelotti was keen to stress just how good he has got it as a manager with Frenchman Benzema leading his attack.

The No 9 was in Ballon d'Or contention this year and while he was beaten to the 'Best Striker' award by Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, Ancelotti is in no doubt he has the best in the business in Benzema.

'He’s added a massive, regular ability to put the ball in the back of the net. He’s at the level of Cristiano Ronaldo or (Erling) Haaland,' Ancelotti added.

'Benzema is a player who makes a difference. We saw it once again in the game against Athletic, with two goals in quick succession. He’s in amazing form.'

His two goals against Athletic Bilbao took him to 20 for the season in all competitions - 15 in LaLiga alone which has him four ahead of Juanmi of Real Betis, who is second in the league standings with 11 goals.

Benzema's first against Athletic is a goal of the season contender and it even drew applause from the opposing fans at San Mames.

The 34-year-old Frenchman put Real Madrid ahead inside four minutes with a glorious curling effort inside the box after  Kroos' pass, before adding a second three minutes later in the opposite corner.

Benzema went off in the 90th minute to a standing ovation from the both sets of fans in the northern Spanish city, a sign of the adulation he receives now.

Real Madrid find themselves back in league action on January 2 when they make the short trip to Madrid-based side Getafe.